Tinubu Meets NLC Leaders as Police Mobilise Nationwide Ahead of Protest

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night held a late-hour meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in a last-minute attempt to avert a planned nationwide protest over worsening insecurity across the country.

The meeting, which took place at the State House, Abuja, began around 11:27 pm and was attended by NLC President Joe Ajaero; Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma; Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris; and Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

“We are going on with the protest across the country. Any attack on the protest will lead to an escalation and a total shutdown,” NLC spokesperson Benson Upah said.

Despite the engagement, the NLC maintained its resolve to proceed with the protest, which it described as a “National Day of Protest and Mourning.” The union linked the action to escalating insecurity, unresolved agreements with the Federal Government, rising cost of living, and the impact of violence on workers’ safety, productivity, and livelihoods.

The labour centre said several of its members, including teachers, farmers, miners and artisans, have lost their lives due to persistent insecurity, which it blamed on perceived government inaction. The NLC stressed that the protest is a civic action aimed at drawing national attention to governance and security challenges, rather than a strictly labour-related issue.

Ahead of today’s demonstrations, the Nigeria Police Force announced the deployment of special forces and tactical units nationwide to ensure peaceful rallies. Police spokespersons in several states confirmed heightened security measures to prevent hoodlums or political hirelings from hijacking the protests.

NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, said the union would not back down, warning that any attempt to disrupt the protest could result in a nationwide indefinite strike. He added that the NLC had received intelligence suggesting possible attempts to infiltrate or destabilise the rallies.

“Our action is not just a mere procession; it is a collective act of grief and a democratic demand for the fundamental right to life and security,” the union said in a statement.

Across states including Benue, Jigawa, Sokoto, Imo, Bayelsa, Kano, Gombe and Bauchi, police commands confirmed the deployment of personnel, tactical teams and surveillance resources, while also engaging labour leaders to ensure orderly and violence-free protests.